Walking with a Guide Dog

[lifecoacheva]

Hi all, I know that dogs are not very welcome along this route and especially in hostels, hotels and public places. However, I want to walk the way with a guide dog. Guide dogs are normally allowed into places where other dogs aren't. Would any of you know whether a guide dog is accepted into hotels, hostels, etc or is a guide dog treated like any other dog and I would have to sleep with him outside in the open? If you don't know, do you know who I could contact in order to clarify this question. Thanks in advance, greetings to all from Ireland, Lifecoacheva

[geraldkelly]

Hi

I had a search for information about this in Camino sources but I didn't find anything. However, I did find some information of a more general nature on the Spanish Association for Blind People website. Regarding the law (and this issue seems to be dealt with at local level) it says:

"All of the Autonomous Communities have regulated rights and obligations in this field. They dictate that a guide dog user can access all public facilities and transportation in compliance with all health and hygiene obligations required under current rules and provides severe penalties for organisations or modes of transport which prevent access to users of guide dogs."

Original here: http://www.once.es/new/servicios-esp...ecomendaciones

So the law is on your side. If you want to inquire more you could contact ONCE, their details are here
http://www.once.es/new/contactar

They have a website in English
http://www.once.es/new/otras-webs/english

You could also contact the Amigos Del Camino, although I'm not sure who to write to there. Maybe someone else can suggest. There's also the Irish Friends of St James at stjamesirl@gmail.com

In France I found the following link
http://www.chemins-compostelle.com/D...ns-guides.html
which basically says that denying access to a dog accompanying a person with a handicapped ID card is a punishable offence.

I hope that's of some help.
Ger

[lifecoacheva]

hi Ger, I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind reply and for going through all the trouble to answer my question. Your information shows quite clearly that it should be possible to walk with a guide dog and also be accepted into hotels and hostels and restaurants. The same laws seem to apply in Spain as they do here in Ireland. Don't mind to spend some nights outside when the weather is warm and to sleep under the stars, but occasionally it would be nice to join civilisation again with a bed, a shower and a decent meal. Thanks again and happy Easter, love from lifecoacheva.

[geraldkelly]

Don't mention it. It's a pleasure. The Camino is one of the great joys in my life and I love to learn new things about it and the people who walk it.

I've never met a blind person on the Camino but I think that it should be doable with a bit of help. When are you planning to go? I hope you'll report back to us with all your adventures!

I think guide dogs are less common in Spain than in Ireland or the UK so you might have a problem with people not knowing how to behave around one. I've seen publicity campaigns about not distracting them or patting them or feeding them chorizo, so hopefully it won't be a problem.

ger